Greece plays Ecuador to a draw at Citi Field

An ambivalent mood spread across Queens on the night of Tuesday, June 7, as both Ecuadorian and Greek soccer fans left Citi Field with simultaneous feelings of contentment and disappointment. Their mixed emotions stemmed from the 1-1 draw they just watched play out between their respective national teams, a game either side could have won.
Both passionate fan bases were prepared to take to the streets of Queens and celebrate their national team’s victory, but in the end, the 39,656 people in attendance had to settle for sharing the spotlight.
(Click here for a photo gallery from the game)
Greece began the game with a formation consisting of four defenders, five midfielders and only one forward. Ecuador played with their standard 4-4-2 formation, utilizing four midfielders and two forwards.
Both teams were lacking several of their signature players. Ecuador’s offense was clearly diminished without their best attackers, winger Antonio Valencia and striker Felipe Caicedo, who missed the match due to injury. Talented Greek wingers Ioannis Fetfatzidis and Sotiris Ninis, as well as current captain Giorgos Karagounis, began the game on the bench. Defender Vasilis Torosidis, arguably Greece’s best overall player, was not available as a substitute.
(Click here to read about the next soccer game at Citi Field)
“The players that are usually starters are the most tired,” said Fernando Santos, the head coach of Greece. “They have played many games, and this was the last game of the year. Right now in Greece it is 5:45 a.m. This time difference isn’t easy.”
Despite the jet lag, Greece was the first to score when Georgios Fotakis provided a wonderful cross into the box from a free kick in the 15th minute. The ball curved and found the head of Alexandros Tziolis, who directed it past Ecuadorian goalkeeper Maximo Banguera for Greece’s first ever goal on American soil. After their goal, Greece had several encouraging trips into Ecuador’s territory, but failed to score.
During the first half, Ecuador seemed hesitant to shoot. They repeatedly strung together several passes outside the Greek penalty area, only to fail to test goalkeeper Stefanos Kotsolis. The halftime whistle came at the right time for the Ecuadorians, who came out of the break with a new sense of urgency. They were by far the better team at the start of the second half, controlling possession and keeping Greece pinned back.
Their passing prowess was in classic South American style, and left their coach pleased.
“I believe it was an attractive game,” said Ecuador head coach Reinaldo Rueda. “A game where Ecuador placed the ball against the floor and constantly looked towards the opponent’s goal.”
Ecuador’s aggressiveness finally paid off in the 59th minute, when Cristhian Noboa received a pass on the right side of the box and delivered a chip across the face of goal. Noboa’s cross found Fricson Erazo, who headed the ball with great power passed the outstretched arms of Kotsolis. The largely Ecuadorian crowd erupted after the goal, shaking Citi Field to its roots.
In the 63rd minute, Santos looked to bolster his offensive attack and reclaim the lead by substituting in Fetfatzidis, Ninis and Karagounis. While these decisions lead to more aesthetically pleasing play, Greece was ultimately unable to score again. Their best opportunity to do so was from a free kick in the 72nd minute, which was struck with power and pace by Fetfatzidis, and looked to be trouble for Ecuador before whizzing past the left post by mere inches.
Despite a sense of disappointment for each side, the two head coaches were full of admiration after the match. They commended Citi Field for doing a wonderful job converting the pitch, and both praised their respective teams and opponents.
“Greece is a great team,” said Rueda. “Greece has always distinguished itself for offensive, attractive soccer. Perhaps we should have won, but it was satisfactory to score.”
Emulating their coaches in a demonstration of soccer peace, the two fan bases unified to do “the wave”.